Exciting Art That Deserves Your Attention In 2018

The remarkable Chicago photo artist Darryll Schiff is starting out 2018 strong with his second acquisition from Oakton College, an upcoming interview on Art NXT Level podcast, and a feature in Scope New York this March.

Darryll Schiff has become one of Chicago's most prominent artists and he is only gaining momentum, in 2016 Schiff's work was selected to be exhibited in international art fairs including Art Busan in South Korea and the Bazaar Art Fair in Jakarta, Indonesia as well as a local a solo exhibition in Chicago’s River North art district. Schiff exhibited this December at Scope Miami 2017 and will show in Scope New York 2018 this March.

Descending to Heaven - The Parade Commences is the second acquisition of Schiff’s work at Oakton College. The Parade Commences is the cornerstone of Schiff’s acclaimed Descending to Heaven series; the artist's contemplative reaction and interpretation of Indian artist Jitish Kallat’s 2011 site-specific LED text installation at the Art Institute of Chicago.

In addition to Oakton’s art collection, Schiff’s work can also be found at the Art Institute of Chicago, Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena and the Museum of Contemporary Photography, among other noteworthy institutions.

Darryll Schiff oversaw the installation of his print Descending to Heaven - The Parade Commences early this November at Oakton’s Des Plaines, Illinois campus along with Nathan Harpaz, curator of the college’s museum. The print is prominently displayed at 6ft wide x 14ft high located near the Student Center. Oakton’s collection advocates the support of local art and makes an active effort to present established Chicago area artists. The fine art collection focuses on modern and contemporary art reflecting excellence and educational value through a diversity of genres and aesthetic principles.

There will be a reception held at Oakton Community College on January 31, 5-7 pm at the Des Plaines Campus located at 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016.

Noted for his distinct vision and ability to capture movement and light, Schiff’s installation brilliantly serves as an expression of mankind, moving out of the darkness to further enlightenment. But Schiff allows for the viewer to interpret themselves, whether it is true enlightenment or a false belief. Schiff hopes to convey through this piece a bright side to humanity, as it calls upon viewers to reflect on the prophets we follow and the paths we choose freely. Darryll Schiff’s works are characterized by an interest in contemplative moments, expressionistic abstraction and a unique broadening of what we know photography to be.

"Darryll Schiff uses his camera as a tool to compose stunning works of art much more reminiscent of a painting than a still record of time and space."-Halation Magazine

About Darryll Schiff

Darryll Schiff's career in fine arts began at the early age of 8 years old, taking classes at the Art Institute of Chicago. He went on to study photography at the Institute of Chicago. He went on to study photography at the Institute of Design under Arthur Siegel, Joseph Jachna, Gary Winnogrand and Aaron Siskind. He was one of three undergraduates represented in the famed Student Independent Portfolio.

Approximately 10 years ago Schiff decided to focus solely on his fine art. His work appears in many noteworthy institutions including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Art Institute of Chicago, George Eastman House, Koehnline Museum of Art, Norton Simon Museum Pasadena, Museum of Contemporary Photography and in many private collections.

To The Girl Who Still Has Her Mom This Christmas

To the girl who is blessed enough to have her momma this Christmas, please remember to soak every last bit of it in.

Please remember to hug her so tight, that the way she smells is locked into your nose. Listen to all the stories you've heard a million times, like you've never heard a single one. Help her, even if it seems completely silly to you, help her mix that cake. Laugh, oh please laugh. Laugh at all her corky ways, at the way she mispronounces words, try's to be hip and use new found lingo, or how she cusses when she forgot to get the rolls out of the oven but quickly asks the Lord for forgiveness. Remember her laugh, etch it into your brain. Make her happy, if she wants to go riding around looking at Christmas lights down the same streets you've went for years, do it. Don't fuss, take her advice, agree to just disagree on things. It's not worth it. Most importantly, remind her over and over how much you love her.

Because unlike you, I'm not able to see my mom on Christmas. I'm not able to see her on birthdays, Thanksgiving, or any other occasion. My time with her is up. Death is the most permanent heartbreak.

How I long to hear her voice, her laugh. To feel her tight embrace. Smell, oh god, what I would give to just be able to smell her. I would absolutely love to go riding around for hours while she ohhs and ahhs at every single house we pass. If I had the opportunity I'd tell her just how much I love her, how I'm so thankful for all the sacrifices she made for me. In fact, I'm not sure I could ever tell her enough.

Some days I wake up and it still doesn't feel real. Others, I panic trying to remember exactly how she sounded. Because, I don't want to forget. I don't want to forget a single characteristic about her. Not one.

Take time, not just on holidays, or special occasions to be with your mom. Even if it's just you two piled up watching reruns of "The Little House on the Prairie", soak it in.

You only get one momma. Nobody could ever take her place. She's your rock.

25 Moments Of 'A Christmas Story' You Remember While Watching It 10 Times In A Row On Christmas

Let's be real, you can't go through the holiday season without watching "A Christmas Story." It's a classic. I have to watch it at least once around Christmastime. Since it's iconic, it's very easy to remember everything that goes on throughout the film. Here are twenty five of the most memorable moments of the movie.